Wednesday, December 26, 2007, 01:02 AM
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General]
You grab lunch, pick up dinner, and think the man who invented the drive-thru deserves a Nobel prize. But you don't have to sacrifice your figure for convenience.
Here are seven quick, yummy options that make slimming down easier. Packed with fat-fighting ingredients, they stave off hunger, boost metabolism, and speed up weight loss. Keep them handy at the office, in the car, at home, and in your gym bag.
Frulatte
These great-tasting meal replacement drinks make calorie counting easy and are a healthier alternative when you're just too busy to eat. Flavors: milk chocolate, cranberry-raspberry, orange-mango, strawberry-kiwi, lemon crème, and mocha cappuccino. (220 to 250 calories)
PB Slices
We've been telling you that peanut butter can help you stick to a low-cal diet and lose more weight. Now, these wrapped slices keep you from eating too much. Each slice is nearly a 2-tablespoon serving and has 170 calories.
Campbell's Soup at Hand
In one study, women who ate soup before a meal consumed 13% fewer calories during the meal. Try this quick soup as a filling appetizer or snack. It comes in a microwave-ready container, with a lid for sipping. For the least number of calories and fat, choose noncreamy varieties: Blended Vegetable Medley (110 calories) or Classic Tomato (120 calories).
Honest Tea Community Green
Green tea is high in antioxidants. One of them, called EGCG, helps you burn more calories. This organic brand has some of the highest levels of antioxidants (more than Concord grape juice) and 75% fewer calories than most bottled iced teas. Look for it in the natural foods section of your local supermarket, or go to Honest Tea's website to find a store near you. (34 calories per 16-oz bottle)
Yoplait Expresse
Yogurt is another good source of calcium, and now you can eat it without a spoon! Just squeeze it right into your mouth, or freeze the tube for a delicious frozen treat. Flavors: strawberry, raspberry, mixed berry, harvest peach, Key lime, lemon burst, and peaches & cream. (70 calories, 100 mg calcium)
Parmalat Lil' Milk
Low levels of calcium appear to signal your body to store fat. In one study, dieters who consumed 1,200 to 1,300 mg of calcium a day lost nearly twice as much weight as those getting less calcium. These convenient, half-pint "milk boxes" (available in whole, 2%, 2% chocolate, 1% strawberry, 1% vanilla, and 1% banana) have 300 mg of calcium each and can go anywhere-no fridge required. A unique pasteurization process allows it to stay fresh at room temperature. (130 to 190 calories)
Dr. McDougall's Right Foods' Instant Hot Cereal
Have some of this high-fiber cereal for breakfast, and you'll stay full and satisfied until lunch. Just add boiling water, and enjoy! When you're done, throw away the cup; no messy bowls to clean! Flavors: maple sugar, peaches & raspberries, apples & cinnamon, bananas & maple, oatmeal & barley, and cranberries & almonds.